31 December 2010

As 2010 has ended we have compiled a list about the football teams.The following list is about of World's richest football clubs for the year 2010.

10.Inter Milan ($413 Million), Italy

Football Club Internazionale Milano, commonly known asInternazionaleorInter, is a professional Italian football clubbased in Milan,Lombardy, Italy. It was founded in 1908. San Siro is its home ground. Massimo Moratti is the owner of the club and Leonardo Araujo is the head coach.

9.Chelsea ($646 Million), England

Chelsea Football Club is an English professional football club based in west London. Founded in 1905. Owned by Roman Abramovich and managed by Carlo Ancelotti. Home ground is Stamford Bridge.

8.Juventus ($656 Million), Italy

Juventus is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont. Owned by Angelli family and managed by Luigi Delneri. Home ground is Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

7.Milan ($800 Million), Italy

AC Milan is an Italian football clubbased in Milan,Lombardy, Italy. San Siro is its home ground. Club was founded in 1899. Owned by Silvio Berlusconi and managed by Massimilano Allegri.

6.Liverpool ($822 Million), England

Liverpool Football Club is an English professional football club from Liverpool. Club was founded in 1892. Owners are John W. Henry and Tom Werner. Anfield is its home ground. Manager is Roy Hodgson.

5.Bayern Munich ($990 Million), Germany

FC Bayern Munich is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team. Home ground is Allian Arena. Managed by Louis Van Gaal.

4.FC Barcelona ($1 Billion), Spain

Barcelona is a Spanish professional football club, based in Barcelona, Spain. They play in La Liga. Club was founded in 1899. President is Sandro Rosell and Joseph Gaurdiola managed the club. Home ground is Camp Nou.

3.Arsenal ($1.181 Billion), England

Arsenal Football Club is an English professional football club in North London that plays in the Premier League. Owned by Arsenal Holdings plc and managed by Arsene Wenger. Home ground is Emirates Stadium. Club was founded in 1886.

2.Real Madrid ($1.323 Billion), Spain

Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. It was founded in 1902. Home ground is Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Florentino is the president and the head coach is Jose Mourinho.

1.Manchester United ($1.835 Billion), England

Manchester United is a professional football team that was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR football club. Home ground is Old Trafford. Owned by the Glazer Family and managed by Sir Alex Ferguson. It plays in the Premier League.

Brett Favre has been fined $ 50,000 by NFL for failing to cooperate with an internal investigation.The Minnesota Vikings quarterback was accused of sending sexually explicit messages to New York Jets game-day hostess Jenn Sterger back in 2008 while he was representing for the Jets.

But despite all this the accusations made, NFL has been unable to conclude either Favre send those messages. According to statement by Commisioner NFL Roger Goodell stated:"Could not conclude that Favre violated league policies relating to workplace conduct,"

Also the league was unable to establish with the fact that they have met even face to face. But whatever the case remains Favres during the investigation has not been very helpful, hence causing longer reviews and were a source of negetivity in front the people for Favre, Sterger, and NFL. The NFL also extended their investigation into an another media report claiming about Favre's misconduct with other women in the 2008 season who had worked at the Jets' facility. But again the critical evidence providing individual refrained from being interviewed or cooperating. During the investigation various public reports,including interviews with Favre and Sterger were made,also the forensic analysis of the electronic texts which were exchanged by them.NFL also made the notion about the investigation which remained limited as they could not start it early:

"The investigation was limited in several respects because the conduct occurred in 2008 but was not brought to our attention until this fall. As a result, certain records and individuals were unavailable to the NFL," the NFL said in a statement.

Goodell was also very critical about the discipline as well, as he made very straight forward that if during the investigation Favres is found guilty, a ''substantially'' bigger penalty shall be imposed upon.

This Ashes being the complete turning point for Australia, being humiliated and astonished took an other U turn. Ricky Ponting, who had broken his little finger at WACA, has been deemed unfit for the fifth and final test at Sydney. In a once a million pickup, Australian selectors have turned to Usman Khawaja. By this Usman Khawaja, the Pakistani born would become the first muslim ever to represent Australia cricket for the international team.

Australia's humiliating defeat by the hands of England by an innings and 157, saw their gloomiest cricketing times. Australia had domintated cricket well over and decade, looked like a similar face to the West Indies who had such a ushering time went on to limp and never got the reach to superstart status again.Now all Australia would be doing, after Ashes went into the hands of England to do some face saving and redeem their lost pride by squaring the series.

Usman Khawaja who born in Islamabad, Pakistan on 18, 1986, Islamabad, Pakistan had been playing domestic cricket for Australia for quite some time now. He currently represents New South Wales,and averages 51.70 witih bat in the first class. He had been in the queue to play in this series, is in sparkling form as he went on to make the highest average of the competition with 75 in the Sheffield Sheild .

Usman being excited about this opportunity, while talking to Cricinfo said:"It's been a childhood dream for me," Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan before moving to Australia as a young boy

"Ever since I can remember I wanted to play for Australia."

After Usman drafted for the final test , it would yield far more broader impact than to level the series. As it would help bridge between multi-cultural communities, and prove that Australia is a much tolerant country.

Tariq Khawaja, Usman's father while talking to Sydney Morning Herald said:" Obviously it will be a positive impact, it's good for the [Muslim] community" .

So it is hoped that the new comer will yield results for Australia, and would emerge was the potential future for Australia cricket.

30 December 2010

In the third and final T20 match against Pakistan and New Zealand , Abdul Razzaq was the star in a consolatory 103 runs victory against New Zealand. Pakistan playing for a face saving won comprehensively as they bundled out hosts for 80 runs, while Abdul Razzaq shone with both bat and ball, scoring unbeatable 34 off 11 balls , and took 3-13 as he ripped through Black Caps. Captain Shahid Afridi who had failed with the bat once again, produce a sensational 4-14 vicious spell.This was New Zealand lowest score in T20's, and also was the fourth biggest defeats registered in T20I history.

Batting first, Pakistan started off pretty well, with Ahmed Shahzad who played some nice strokes as he raced to his fifty, when ten boundaries. He along with Hafeez was also playing with authority, as they posted a partnership of 81. After both openers dismissed , the Black Caps crept in as they went on to dismiss Shafiq and Younis quite cheapily, bringing Pakistan to 106-4 by 13.5 overs. From here Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi lifted off the run rate, playing shots across the park,until Afridi who was trying to improvise on the leg side , had only his leg stumps exposed for Southee hence paying penalty .After almost a silent 18th over, Pakistan went to rage Black Caps as barrage of boundaries come along, in process Abdul Razzaq was lucky to survive with a dropped catch. After that there was no looking back, as they went on to produce 31 runs off last 9 balls posting 183-6.

With Black Caps on to bat, faced a devastated blow when top four batsman went for a duck completely breaking their back bone. Abdul Razzaq and Tanvir were the main architects of their demolition, and later Shahid Afridi took the charge and completed the mission with his four wickets. All the batsman got out in single digits, only Styris being a meaningful resistance with his 45 so they were all cleaned out before 16th over.

Though they made some impact, before going into the series but the face remains is Pakistan's un-predictability, which always lets them down. Its only time which is going to decide, how things are going to be, for the time being Afridi and his men would need to boost themselves and show similar performance regularly.

India beats South Africa at Kingsmead,Durban by 87 runs to secure the test match and squaring series 1-1.

South Africa were all out for 215 on the fourth day chasing a target of 303 runs. The match between India and South Africa was evenly poised on the fourth day as South Africa need only 192 runs to win the series whereas India need seven wickets to level the series. South Africa resumed their inning on 111 for 3.

They were scoring runs at more than five runs per over and when it looked that the chase would be over quickly, Sreesanth struck in the last over before tea with a short ball taking the wicket of Jacques Kallis. Sreesanth bowled a wonderful spell of five overs in the morning, taking one wicket for seven runs; he didn't offer the batsmen anything, while maintaining a good line and length. Few overs later Harbhajan struck by taking the wicket of AB De villiers. He was given out leg before wicket by Asad Rauf. He was unhappy at the decision taken by the Pakistani umpire as replays showed that the ball was going to miss the stumps. Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan were the highlight of the day, as they dominated the Kingsmead track and made the proteas feel very uncomfortable. Zaheer khan took the wicket of Mark Boucher. He made only 1 before he was given lbw to a delivery that was going to miss the stump comfortably. Dale steyn looked in a attacking mode but Zaheer showed his experience as he bowled him a few bouncers before delivering a wide one that Steyn (10) edged and was caught by the third slip fielder.

It was Prince and Harris who stayed on for a small partnership of 27 runs worrying India for a while. Harris was clean bowled by Zaheer at his score of 7 to break that partnership. Prince and Morne Morkel then stood firm for an hour, reducing the required runs. Ishant Sharma grab the wicket of Morne Morkel (20) as he edged the ball to Dhoni. Lonwabo Tsotsobe was last man out when he was run out by Pujara from short leg as he over-balanced out of the crease.

Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth picked up three wickets, Harbhajan Singh took two wickets.VVS Laxman was adjudged Man of the Match for his outstanding knocks of 38 and 96 in a low scoring match. On the other hand Hashim Amla completed his 50th Test match, though it ended on a low, but stil had a terrific run in 2010

29 December 2010

It was a happy tale for Manchester United , as Berbatov , hero for the United in the clash against Sunderland scored in the 59th minute to gain 1-0 lead. But it was until the game into its final minute, Lee Bowyer struck a controversial goal stunning Manchester United and secured draw for Birmingham City. United who were looking to regain the top spot after Manchester City took the top spot earlier in the day with thumping 4-0 over Aston Villa with Balotelli scoring a hatrick were denied their chance. Now Manchester United and Manchester City both have 38 points, with United played lesser games than that of City's.

Dimitar Berbatov took the early honours for the day as he took full advantage of return pass and drove the ball into the post from 18 yards. They were sailing quite confortably until something controversial just before the final whistle took place. Bowyer's goal was pretty controversial , as he led to his team to an equiliser, as it looked like a handball and also it looked like an offside as well ignored by the referee.Also the goal might have been ruled out as Zigic had made a foul on Ferdinand as he leaped upto to meet ball by Johnson.

What ever happened in the game is aside, but the thing is now they are level with Manchester City, and would need some serious working if they want to keep themselves at the top of the table . With one point it proved enough for Manchester United to stay ahead of Manchester City on basis of goal difference.This also have only managed to win only won encounter out of eight in this season as well, while drawing other.

On a fine day at Melbourne, everything looked English, as England crushed Australia to retain Ashes, crumbling Australia to an innings and 157 runs defeat .Things could not look more ugly for Australia, who had dominated cricket for such a long time, tattered in the most un-desirable way. Now England ending year with Ashes win, would cherish all the memories and achievements they have attained this year, and would enjoy the most satisfying New Year eve.

England celebrating with a sprinkler dance Getty Image

With things already looking gloomy for Australia a day earlier, as they already were on 169-6, they were never in a chance to challenge Strauss and the company. All they could pray for was if nature would work their way, but unfortunately it was not Perth. After resuming their innings, Australia first wicket was lost at 172 when Mitchell Johnsonn fell to Tremlett. After that they had some session of their own, with Siddle and Haddin built up a partnership teasing the English bowlers with a 86 runs partnership. Finally Siddle was dismissed at 40 off the bowling of Swann. Hilfenhaus the next batsman to come was quick to ease up England, went for a nought, and Ryan Harris who had suffered injury yesterday was absent hurt. Jonathan Trott was named man of the match for his century, which dominated Australia for almost two days.

Now after such a fine performance by England, all Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss would plan for Sydney be that Australia do not level with them , and end with a series win as well. They at this time would not like to be complacent at all, and would carry on their amazing run.

Under Andrew Strauss they became the first team in 24 years to retained Ashes down under, with even these credentials Strauss aims even higher and would keep on striving for the betterment of his team.

"While you are still involved with England side, if you are not looking to push forward then there is something wrong there." , Strauss expressing his enthusiasm.

With this embarrasing defeat, Australia especially Ricky Ponting would be thrown into deep chasm and would be under heavy artillery. Redeeming after such low, it will never be the easy for them. Ricky Ponting who led Australia to two world cup victories and, remained the leader of the World Number one team for a long time would need to re-think his strategies, and also need to revive his batting in order to inspire his team.

28 December 2010

Redeeming in an emphatic manner for their past torrid series, New Zealand were able to secure series win against Pakistan in the second T20I match at Hamilton by 39 runs. New Zealand batsman sparked as Pakistani bowlers failed to provide any kind of damage what so ever in order to dent their progress.

Abdul Razzaq started with a perfect first off to the proceedings as he removed Jessie Ryder caught behind .But later on all the coming batsman in the line up had been ruthless, and extremely dominant. With sixes and fours flaying all around the park, Pakistan's bowler were of absolutely no idea what was going along their way. Guptill along with Franklin posted 91 run partnership for the second wicket, with Guptill being first to be dismissed at 44. Even after that, some extraordinary power display kept on coming with Styris contributed 34 off mere 14 balls, and Mc Glashan chipping in a quick 26 off 10 balls as they raced towards total of 185/7. Captain Ross Taylor remained not out on 30 at the end of the innings. The only bowler of some substance was Saeed Ajmal , who being reasonably economical bagged three wickets. Both spearhead pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul were spanked with atrocity as their economy surpassed 10.

Pakistan, while on the hand got off to a pacey start as Muhammad Hafeez posted six in the first over. Shahid Afridi also joined the party with posting a six in the next over, but got out just the next ball cleaned by Mills. Hafeez kept on keeping in pace with the run rate, but wickets kept on falling on the other side. Hafeez ultimately just four shy of half century ran himself out. This actually was the turning point in the game, after that none of the Pakistani batsman looked threatning.Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq went off cheapily, as their back bone was crumbling. Nathan Mc Cullum was the part of the demolition process who took some crucial wickets. Now, the only hope remained was Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq, despite posting few shots off the boundary could not resist for long. In the last over, there was again going to be a repeat show by Southee who was on a hatrick, could not repeat as Akhtar defied this feat and did some face saving. Pakistan finally ended up with 146/9. Nathan Mc Cullum bagged four wickets, and was named Man of the Match for his performance.

It would be just a matter of time now, when England would retain the Ashes and keep the honour by themselves and humiliating Australia. With just four Australian wickets left and tottering at 169, they are on verge of facing an innings defeat, as England would be desperately waiting for all this to finish, and would finally get to rest with a sigh of relief.

Australia after England's mammoth 513 had to produce something miraculous in order to save the day, but it was not the case. After slumping miserably at 98 in the first innings it seemed like as they have forgot handling the bat.English bowlers remained totally at the top, dictating their terms, being nothing more than a stair master whipping Kangaroos to misery. Earlier when England resumed batting on day four, Aussie bowlers tried to make their mini impact, with Siddle taking six of the wickets. But Jonanthan Trott the centurion and Prior's impact remained the head lines, ultimately they well at 513 with Trott at 168*, still wanting some more action, but fell short of his fellows.

Australia starting with a deficit of 415 runs, it was looking like a never ending run. Though Shane Watson looked daunting, but remained short lived and till now being the only to score half century, finally dismissed at 54. Ricky Ponting , who had some torrid time in the field , both with bat and the umpires failed to improvise and inspire, fell silently at 20. Mike Hussey, who had been Australia's saviour on many occasions this Ashes series could only bag a Golden duck in his kitty. Steven Smith provided with some resistance, but at the end they were just playing for the lost cause already. Tim Bresnan being the start took three wickets, with Anderson and Swann getting wicket a piece.

Now the question at the end of such an eventful fourth day is, what has gone with the All Star Kangaroos?. Either Ponting has lost grip over his team, or they all as a team have lost their way.

What could you say much when your opponent does not let you loosen up. Such was the day today , where Arsenal made Chelsea look like stack of heap. Arsenal, who recently had not have a pretty decent outing with the table topper Manchester United, made total redemption Monday night , where Arsenal uprooting Chelsea 3-1 .

Chelsea who usually had been very potent against Arsenal espacially with Didier Drogba , who had a pretty decent record against Arsenal, was not at all potent with his play. The main theme set of the game was established with in the space of ten minutes starting from the 44th, when Arsenal were on song with Alex Song opening the account for Arsenal, later in the start of second half Fabregas , and Theo Walcott made their statement pretty clear which ultimately streched their lead to 3-0. There was some glimmer of hope few minutes after Walcott's goall, Brainislav Inanovic scored with a header, but it could not help Chelsea fire back. With 53rd minute the fate of Chelsea had been sealed. The only question coming again and again had been that why Chelsea had been such a failure?. The answer here would be there was an utmost self belief and assertiveness flowing into Gunner's blood on this Monday night, which overwhelmed the anaemic Blues.

Wenger kept the same 4-2-3-1 make up in the ground as of before, but made some changes bringing in Djourou in the centre half, keeping Walcott on the right, and Persie being the centre forward in place of Chamakh.

Chelsea also were trying to their mark, as they kept on making counter-attacks coming along. Drogba had his chance in the 14th when he made his shot just a fraction wide and made a bad miss. They kept on making few tweaks into their make up with Cech and Terry making some long passes for their ace Drogba and Malouda, but they never looked to be in the knick.

It was a total team work in the Gunners camp with led them out as a complete team, with Nasri, Fabregas, Song, Walcott, and Wilshere totally dominated the play. Arsenal had a total of 55% possession throughout,making lesser room for Chelsea to fit in.

So in short it would be a party night for Arsene Wenger and the crew, celebrating their must win game, to threaten United in the trophy race.

India earlier on the first day were tottering miserably as they had lost early wickets hence South Africa ending up on a high .On the second day with India dismissed at 205, South Africa might have a notion that they have done enough. Dale Steyn was the star for South Africa , as he bagged six Indian wickets.This also made his 15th five wicket haul in just his 45th test on the go.He also has the best strike rate of 39.6 amongst the bowlers who have picked more than 200 wickets.

But when the South African went on to the bat, India, test world number one were showed what they are made up of. South African batsman had no clue absolutely where they were heading to.With one of the best test batting sides in the cricket, they were totally beaten by everything, pace and spin, and ultimately were appalled and dismissed at 131. Thanks to some extra-ordinary pace bowling led by Zaheer Khan, who was out in the previous test made some serious impact.This in short produced 18 wickets for the day, making it a new record at Kingsmead. Currently India are 92-4 with Laxman and Pujara on the crease with the lead of 166.

Though on second day the pitch had eased up a bit because of sun coming into play , allowing South African batsman to play in their flow. But it was not the case to be. But some hostile spells by the pacers led by Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Sreesanth made look things pretty ugly for the South Africans.Not to forget Harbhajan who bagged four valuable wickets cleaning up majority of the tail enders.Only batsman who was looking to consolidate the innings was Hashim Amla , who was playing with the flow pretty well, until on 33 Harbhajan produced one straighter ball which he missed ultimately he was leg before wicket. Kallis also got ran out on, who had pretty good run in the series, scoring his first double century in the first test.

Today was also a special day for Rahul Dravid who today completed his 200th catch in the Test's, the list he is already leading. This came when he grabbed one off Steyn. Other than it was just like a pack of cards, nothing much of substance happening. With India with substansive lead , they would to consolidate and extend the lead upto atleast 300-350 in order to scare South Africans, with MS Dhoni , and the cheeky Harbhajan still to come they are always in a chance.

27 December 2010

England carried on with a perfect day , as followed by total demolition process on the Boxing day where Aussies were bundled out for 98. Jonathan Trott was the star of the day as he led total dominance at WACA , who at stumps was unbeaten at 141 with wicket-keeper Matt Prior with him at 75, as England cruised to 444-5.This in a result extended their lead to a staggering 346, with England sensing Ashes coming their way. England's first innings lead of 346 is their third highest in all Tests at the MCG.

On the other hand , Ricky Ponting did not have very happiest of days, as he finally felt the heavy toll he had been going through. In process has been fined 40% of his match fee and was rebuked severly by match referee Ranjan Madugalle. This all came when he had some heated discussion with Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar, who is known for cool composure,Tony Hill and Kevin Pietersen. Ryan Harris appealed for a caught behind appeal for Pietersen who was on 49 which was overturned by Dar ,which was correctly adjudged on a caught behind referral.The umpires reviewed footage at the close of play before filing a report to the ICC, in which Ponting pleaded guilty to a Level 1of the code of conduct, which relates to "Arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision."

England resuming their innings at 157-0, lost early wickets in the morning with Cook who was the first victim got out for 82. Later at 170 Captain Andrew Strauss went back to pavillion. Both were removed by Siddle.Then Pietersen along with Jonathan Trott extended their lead, when finally Pietersen was plumb lbw off the bowling of Siddle. This was the first dismissal in this Boxing day test match , when catching was not involved in the dissmals. After that Australia had their part of the session with Collingwood and Ian Bell who got our cheaply. But then the English keeper consolidated, and built up partnership with Trott. Australia's misery took a worse U-turn when Prior who before tea had edged on the bowling was called back when he was called back by Aleem Dar as he suspected that Johnson had overstepped. A quick consultation with the third official showed Johnson had indeed delivered a no-ball. This led Trott- Prior partnership rising to a formidable 158 runs. With such exceptional proceedings taken on by England, they not like to take things away from them, and would like to wrap up this Test match with style.

Carlton Cole's double blow helped West Ham securing a 3-1 win over Fulham to secure their first away win of the season. Piquionne along with Cole contributed the goal for West Ham, as they put a strong post in an attempt to avoid relegation.With this win the Hammers are now put themselves from in level on points with Fulham.fts Avram Grant's men off the foot of the table and level on points with Fulham.

West Ham started made a good initial start , but soon they they faced a hitch when Rob Green had to put his palm for Salcido's shot.The Hammers later failed to save a corner which allowed Davies to cross to Aaron Hughes to score the first goal of the match. By this Fulham started with a lead in the 11th minute. This also marked Hughes first goal in six years last coming in August 2004.They kept their lead coming along until Cole came into the show eight minutes before the half time when he pounced upon Etuhu's error and leveled the score. After that in the stoppage time of the half time Scott Parker's centre from the left by-passed Fulham's defenders and invited Piquionne to gobble up the volleyed opportunity at the far post,this took lead for the first time in the match. In the second half Cole doubled his tally in the 73rd minute when he brilliantly found the corner of the net from an acute angle after a long ball had been headed into his path. This brought to a 3-1 lead which remained till the end.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola said "We made it comfortable with the way we played, especially in the second half it was excellent. I thought the match had a strange atmosphere, it was a bit flat at the beginning but we made it happen and I told them I was proud of them." "

It was Fulham's first defeat since November and saw them drop to 10th in the table.